A group of northern youths burned the Nigerian flag to protest the increasing cost of living and economic hardship that continued to define the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In the video shared on X recently, the youths were seen setting the flag ablaze while bemoaning the precarious economic conditions, contrasting the crisis with enormous government spending on nonessential issues that continue to surface amid the economic crisis.

“We voted you (referring to President Bola Tinubu) into power. But see the situation we are in: people are feeding on leaves while you are living in an affluent manner,” the youths said.

They added, “A packet of Spaghetti is now N700 and beyond the reach of the poor.”

The youths also mentioned that Nigeria’s 1-2 loss to Cote d’Ivoire at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday was necessary to redirect the focus of citizens to the current untold hardship.

“We thank the almighty God for Nigeria losing the football competition. We pray Nigeria does not win anything if this is how the country is being governed,” said the northern youths. “We are tired of everything.”

Mr Tinubu has, however, continued to urge Nigerians to persevere, admitting that his radical economic reforms might plunge the majority of Nigerians into hardship, but it was necessary for the economic prosperity that would follow.

“The time may be rough and tough. However, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter.

“The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria,” Mr Tinubu said in his New Year address.

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